December 7, 2007
A Message From Mrs. Starr
The winter break has not even started and already I am going to ask you to focus in on our return from spring break. (Spring break is from March 21st until March 28th). Immediately following spring break, on April 1st, the Maryland State Assessment (MSA) window for standardized assessments in grades 3, 4, and 5 will begin. This is only the second day after we have returned from spring break! The county did not set these dates! This was mandatory from the Maryland State Department of Education. Therefore, as you begin to make your spring vacation plans, please ensure that if you have a student in grades 3, 4, or 5 that he/she is in school on April 1 until April 11. (Of course, if your child is ill, we do not want them here sick.) Maryland monitors closely the percentage of students who take the assessments. They also maintain data on the percentage of time students attend school throughout the year.) Therefore, please make sure that you arrange your spring vacation in order that your child is available to take the MSA from Day 2 after spring break. Thank you for your cooperation.
Kids on the Block Captures the Attention of All!
On Wednesday, December 5th, the students saw “Kids on the Block”, a disability awareness puppet show. This performance coincided with National Inclusion Week to foster the inclusion of all students into the life of the school and the community. Mrs. Holly Walker, our school counselor, will provide follow-up activities focused on appreciating our individual differences to all grade levels during the next two weeks. Ask your child about what they learned from this very different puppet show! Thanks to Dee Dauber and Beth Hagan for arranging this performance and to the PTA for covering the expense of bringing this wonderful puppet show to Woodfield.
Montgomery County Public School’s All County Chorus
Congratulations to our fifth graders who made the Montgomery County Public School’s All County Chorus:
Aaron Girson*, Charlotte Humphrey, and Doris Labaton!!
*Aaron’s name was incorrectly printed last week.
Winter Concert – December 11th
Winter Concert - December 11th 7:00 p.m. in the school gym. Please join us to see our talented students perform!!
Friday is always School Spirit Day. Wear your Woodfield clothes or blue and white.
Box Top Success!!
Please keep collecting and turning in those Box Tops. So far, this year, we have collected box tops to allow us to purchase $1, 400 in equipment, games, resources, etc. for our students. The top class for each grade level that sent in the most box tops will be given a pizza party. Therefore, this past Wednesday, Mrs. Bruno’s, Mrs. Taylor’s, and Mrs. Blakesley’s class had their pizza party. On Wednesday, December 12, Mrs. Meiklejohn’s, Mrs. Narges’ and Mrs. Moran’s class will have their pizza parties. Thank you to the home room parents who are working with Mrs. Robyn Szot, coordinator of this project, to make this happen. Students will eat in their individual classrooms with the whole class during the lunch period.
Keep sending in those box tops. They really make a difference!!
Subject: A Thrilling Talent Show announcement!
Do you, a friend, a neighbor, or family member have a business or venture that could benefit from some community exposure at a reasonable cost? Please spread the word that the PTA is selling advertising space in the Talent Show program book. DHS seats 800 and we fill most of those seats. Mark your calendar for the show on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 7 p.m. at Damascus High School. Since this is the first year the program book will feature business ads, you can be sure that everyone’s eyes will be checking out who is participating!
The sponsorship levels are full page (5 ½” x 8 ½”) for $75; half page (4” x 4 ½”) for $40; and quarter page/business card (2” x 4 ½”) for $25. To participate, enclose in an envelope labeled “Talent Show Program Ad” a check payable to “Woodfield PTA” and ad copy (with plain white or light background). Ad copy should be received by Dec. 21.
If you know a potential business sponsor, you can help by providing them a verification letter (available in the office) and an envelope with the school’s address (24200 Woodfield Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20882). Call Dee Dauber at (301) 540-3552 with questions or leads. Please help us raise money for the talent show.
Winter is Here
Winter is here!! Please remember to have your child dress warmly for outdoor recess. During recess, all students are reminded to tuck their scarves into their jackets to prevent a serious injury during recess!
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found basket, located in the cafeteria, is full! Please remind your child that during lunch they may check for lost items. There are jackets, sweat shirts and shirts, gloves, mittens and even winter coats! Over winter break the basket will be emptied and items donated.
Curriculum Night at Woodfield – January 30 and January 31
Please place on your home calendar’s now! – Curriculum Night at Woodfield:
Grades K-2- Wednesday, January 30th and Grades 3- 5 Wednesday, January 31st -7:00 p.m.
This special night was scheduled as a result of the parent survey taken on Back To School Night in September. Parents stated that they wanted more time to learn about the curriculum. On the nights listed above, teachers on each grade level will be sharing important information about the Reading Language Arts curriculum in a forty-five minute session and the math curriculum for that grade level in another 45 minute presentation. They will be giving you important ideas and strategies as to how you can support your children at home and answer all questions. As the event date approaches, RSVPs will be sent home to prepare for the number of parents who plan to attend. Let’s make this night as important as Back To School Night!
Time to Nominate Teachers for Marian Greenblatt Awards
Nominations are being sought for the annual Marian Greenblatt Teacher of the Year Awards. Information is available at www.greenblatteducationfund.org. Nominations are due by January 11, 2008. Winners will be announced in March and honored at MCBRE’s Champions for Children Gala on April 15, 2008. If you have questions about this process or if you are interested in nominating a teacher at Woodfield, please let me know.
Superintendent Jerry Weast’s 2008-2009 Operating Budget presentation will be held at Rockville High School on December 13th at 7:30 p.m.
Thought for the Week:
“Consider the postage stamp, its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.”
Josh Billings, 1818-1865
American Writer
2007-2008 Important Dates
Tuesday, December 11 Woodfield Concert 7 p.m.
Friday, December 14 Winter Concert – A.M. for students
Monday, December 17 5th Grade to Baker MS Winter Concert
Tuesday, December 18 Talent Show Auditions – Room 2
Wednesday, December 19 Talent Show Auditions – Room 2
Friday, December 21 Damascus High School band visits – 1 p.m.
Friday, December 21 lst grade - Gingerbread Houses 2 p.m.
Monday, December 24- Tuesday, Dec. 25 Holidays – Christmas – No School
Wednesday, Dec. 26 – Monday, Dec. 31 Winter Break – No School
Tuesday, January 1 Holiday – New Year’s Day – No School
Thursday, January 3 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 7 – Tuesday, Jan. 8 Hearing and Vision Screening (K, 4, and new students)
Wednesday, January 9 Talent Show Rehearsal at Woodfield
Thursday, January 10 Talent Show Rehearsal at Woodfield
Thursday, January 10 Class and Group Picture Day
Thursday, January 17 Talent Show Dress Rehearsal @ Damascus High School
Friday, January 18 Talent Show @ Damascus High School
Friday, January 18 2nd Marking period ends
Monday, January 21 Holiday – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 22 Professional Day for teachers – No school for students
Wednesday, January 23 Flyer Distribution Day
Wed., January 23 – Friday, Feb. 15 MAP R Winter Window for grades 3, 4, 5
Tuesday, January 29 – Friday, Feb. 1 PTA Book Exchange
Wednesday, January 30 Report cards distributed
Wednesday, January 30 K – 2 Curriculum Night
Thursday, January 31 3 – 5 Curriculum Night
Friday, February 1 African American Heritage Month
Tuesday, February 5 2nd Grade in School Field Trip – Mad Science
Tuesday, February 5 PTA Meeting
Friday, February 8 A.M. Cultural Arts – Billy B. - Song and Dance Man
Monday, February 11 Hearing and Vision Rescreening (K, 4, and new students)
Tuesday, February 12 Holiday – Presidential primary election
Wednesday, February 13 Hilary Hyland – Author Visit
Thursday, February 14 Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 18 Holiday – Presidents Day
Tuesday, February 19 DHS and ES choral concert @ DHS
Thursday, February 21 Science Expo
Wednesday, February 27 Early Release Day – 12:35 p.m.
Tuesday, March 4 Spring Portraits
Tuesday, March 4 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 13 Donuts for Dads
Friday, March 14 Donuts for Dads
Monday, March 17 St. Patrick’s Day
Friday, March 21 – Monday, March 24 Holidays – Easter (Note: Passover begins at sundown 4/19)
Tuesday, March 25 – Friday, March 28 Spring break – No school for students and teachers
Tuesday, April 1 – Wednesday, April 30 Autism Awareness Month
Tuesday, April 1 – Wednesday, April 30 Arab American Heritage Month
Tuesday, April 1 – Wednesday, April 30 Month of the Young Child Celebration
Tuesday, April 1 PTA Meeting
Tuesday, April 1 – Thursday, April 11 MSA Testing Window grades 3, 4, 5 (Math & Reading)
Friday, April 14 – Wednesday, April 16 MSA Make-up Window grades 3, 4, 5 (Math & Reading)
Monday, April 14 – Friday, April 18 Staff Appreciation Week
Thursday, April 17 Kindergarten Orientation – No School for Kindergarten
Friday, April 18 Kindergarten Orientation – No School for Kindergarten
Monday, April 28 – Friday, May 2 Terra Nova testing – Grade 2
Monday, April 21 – Friday, May 16 LAS Links (ESOL Testing) Grades K- 5
Tuesday, April 22 – Friday, May 16 MAP R Spring Window for grades 3, 4, 5
Thursday, April 24 Take Your Child to Work Day
Friday, April 25 PTA International Night
Friday, April 25 A.M. Cultural Arts – Nada Brahma – World Music
Monday, April 28 – Friday, May 2 Terra Nova testing – Grade 2
Tuesday, April 29 4th Grade In School Field Trip – In Space
Thursday, May 1 – Sunday, May 31 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Thursday, May 1 5th Grade Picture – 1:45 p.m.
Friday, May 2 Field Day Grades 3, 4, 5
Tuesday, May 6 3rd Grade Field Trip - Baltimore Museum
Tuesday, May 6 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 7 – Tuesday, May 13 MSA Testing grades 3, 4, 5 (Science)
Thursday, May 8 Muffins for Moms
Friday, May 9 Muffins for Moms
Friday, May 9 Field Day Grades K, 1, 2
Friday, May 16 Rain date for Field Day K, 1, 2
Saturday, May 17 School Beautification Day 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Monday, May 19 – Friday, May 23 Spring Book Fair
Thursday, May 22 Woodfield Art Show
Friday, May 23 Rain date for Field Day Grades 3, 4, 5
Monday, May 26 Holiday – Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 27 4th & 5th Gr. Band, Strings, & Chorus Concert
Wednesday, June 11 5th Grade Promotion
Thursday, June 12 Last day of school for students – Dismissal 12:35 p.m.
Friday, June 13 Professional day for teachers
Saturday, June 14 Flag Day
Thursday, June 19 Report cards mailed
Tuesday, August 26 First Day of School
Note: Dates that have been added this week are in bold.